Surprises and Sursee's...

When my sister was little she couldn't say "surprise" and it came out sounding like "sursee" so that stuck. So anytime we give something that is not for a special occasion, but just because, then it is called a sursee.

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One of the biggest surprises of this trip has been that the dogs are doing so well.

They are minding (for the most part) and they aren't running amuck at Nene's house.

They are playing guard dog a little, but not barking at the moon.
However, they are being big babies at dinner time.
They need Nene's undivided attention, so they aren't eating, in order to get her to feed them by hand.

We just figured when they get hungry enough they will eat...
Well of course Nene won't let anyone go hungry so she plays the feeding game, and loves it.

The other thing about surprises at our house is that my Strong Silent Mysterious Man can't wait for them.

The teenager really wanted a white belt to wear golfing... really really wanted it.... he had it on his Christmas list last year, but I thought it was a joke. It wasn't, apparently the crazy color shirt and plaid pants and white belts are "IT" on the golf course again.

So we had gotten one for his Easter basket...

but since The Strong Silent Mysterious Man can't wait for a surprise... he gave it to him early.

So that made it a sursee...

I think the teenager was pretty happy about it...

And it looks sharp too... I have to admit, I am getting used to it.

Then another surprise for yesterday was Tony and Trish (Papa's daughters son... his grandson)...

Papa didn't know they were coming and we picked them up at the airport last night.

Tony and Jerad used to be buddies when they were little, and he lived here with Papa and Nene for a while. He couldn't get over how much Jerad had grown up.

A good time was had by all...

Work and Play...

Yesterday we took some time to work on the "to do" lists.

Mom and Lynn both had some things that needed to be done and with all the tall boys in town, it was a good opportunity.

Cabinet hinges at Lynn's...

The Jim's (Gems in our book) work well together...

How many tall boys does it take to start a chain saw?

Trimming trees at Lynn's... off the gutters and high enough so she can get her mower around the bottoms.

And even the gutter gets clutter in Seattle, so they got a good cleanout too!

Plenty of limb carriers on hand to help...

and a good place to stash the debris...

Then the blinds in Mom's kitchen have been all a miss, so the tall boys got them shortened to fit over the cabinets...

Jim fixed her hot water dispenser... YAY!!
Jacob worked on some of Papa's list... cleaning out the shed and some cleaning in the garage.

The kitchen lights were only half working...

So those got fixed too. Let there be light!

Now don't go thinking we worked the boys to death... this one got in naptime before the next tee time.




So yes they got in some more play time with Jerad after the "to do" list had been hit.

A good time was had by all.

Tuesday in Seattle...

Yesterday while the boys went to play a game of golf.

The girls went to check out the banquet room, and order the cake.

Then Brooklynn came to visit us at Papa's.

She is most comfortable with Papa and ran to him immediately... he is her safe place.

So cute.

We played games.

The four of us!

We went to see Ralph's coveted garden and greenhouse.

Last night we went to watch Lynn bowl.

We saw Tammy and her son was there with his wife and two kids.

Times really have moved on... Tammy as a Grandma... too cute.

We brought Lynn good mojo...

And she bowled a 223!

What a fun and relaxing time we are having, spending time together.

I love it.

Before and After...

We gave Mom an early Mothers Day.

One of the guest bathrooms needed updating.

We were really excited to start the transformation...

Before...

After

Before...

After

With gold counter tops and floors, you have to be careful what colors you introduce into the scheme. But we were so happy these new updates made a big difference.

Still a few touches to add, light fixture, some sticks for the vase, and maybe a couple of candles for the vanity.

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Happy Mothers Day early. Love you Mom!!

Seattle or Bust...

The drive over both passes were good... we arrived safe, and the dogs rode really well in the car. Whew!

We are having so much fun with my family.

My brother Jim and Joanna

Me and Joanna... we made like sisters very quickly!!!

Me and Panda... a girl can never have too many sisters!

Me and Jim...

My brother Ralph and me...

The boys got in some wii time... Papa and Nene with some friends who stopped by for a visit...

The boys got up yesterday with Aunt Lynn and did a big trash run...

The puppies are learning really well where their place is on the blanket...

Morgan keeps pushing the limits scooting off the blanket to get closer to Papa (because he has the stash of doggie treats, she ain't no dummy)...

Rudy is just an all out law breaker... he doesn't think the "blanket rule" applies to him...

We are having such a great time!

It's really good to be with the family, eating, talking, playing, working, and catching up with each other. It had been way too long.